When a mailpiece is mailed, it is assigned a specific postal route and then sent on its way to the USPS. If the mailpiece never arrives at its destination, it is considered “unclaimed” and is eventually sent back to the USPS for redistribution.
Once an unclaimed mailpiece has been sent back to the USPS, it is placed in one of two categories: “remains” or “residuals.” Remains refers to mail that has been processed but has not been delivered to its final destination.
Residuals refers to mail that has been delivered but has not been processed, such as mail that has been discarded because the addressee is no longer located.
After an unclaimed mailpiece has been placed in one of these categories, it is eventually destroyed or recycled. The decision to destroy or recycle an unclaimed mailpiece is made on a case-by-case basis and is based on the value of the mailpiece and the cost of maintaining it.
